The volume of cargo that passed through the ports of Paraná in the first three months of 2022 was 9.4% higher compared to the same period in 2021. From January to March, 14,079,177 tons were handled through the Paranaguá and Antonina terminals. Last year there were 12,869,762 tons.
“The increases in the quarter show the strength of agribusiness in Brazil. Foods led the numbers, with emphasis on export bulk, such as soybeans, bran and corn, in addition to imports of fertilizers, used in crops”, says Luiz Fernando Garcia, CEO of Portos do Paraná, a public company that manages the state maritime terminals.
Considering the two directions of trade, the solid bulk segment accumulates a 17% increase in the year. From January to March, 8,915,471 tonnes were handled. In the same months of 2021, there were 7,643,257 tons.
General cargo handled 3,269,434 tonnes, against 3,286,879 tonnes in 2021 – which represented a 1% drop this year. In bulk liquids, 1,894,272 tonnes were handled, down 2% from last year’s 1,939,625 tonnes.
FERTILIZERS – The impact of the crisis in Eastern Europe has not yet appeared in the figures for the quarter. The fertilizers, whose main origin is Russia, were purchased in 2021. “In addition to the time for the ship to arrive in Paranaguá, which includes the stop in different ports, it has the entire marketing period. It takes at least seven months from negotiating the cargo until the product is unloaded,” explains Garcia.
The increase in fertilizer imports reached 28%, comparing January to March 2021 and the same period in 2022. There were 2,391,195 tons this year compared to 3,068,596 the previous year.
BULKS – In exports, the highlights were the highs registered in shipments of soybeans (18%), bran (38%) and wheat (135%). Respectively, the volumes of products handled this year were 3,303,523 tons, 1,342,739 tons and 32,895 tons.
In 2021, in the same first three months, 2,809,033 tons of soybeans were handled; 970,140 tons of bran and 14 thousand tons of wheat. In the case of wheat, domestic demands also put pressure on imports, which grew 26%. In all, 80,468 tons arrived from other countries via Paranaguá.
CONTAINERS – In terms of 20-foot containers (TEUs), from January to March this year there were 269,037 – an amount 3% higher than the 260,135 TEUs registered last year.
As for exports in containers, the increase was even greater: 4%. In the first quarter, 152,798 TEUs were loaded and last year, 146,746 TEUs. Imports were 116,962 TEUs this year, against 113,398 TEUs in 2021 – up 3%.
Check out the complete movement for March and the quarter
Source: Portos do Paraná
